Device for dispensing of wiping material by means of a dispensing apparatus for sanitary, hygienic, and industrial use

ABSTRACT

A device allows dispensing of wipe material and comprises a machine for dispensing the material and the wipe material. The wipe material has, along all or part of its length, at least one marking area which has imprints on both sides that are arranged and laid out to ensure meshing. The dispensing machine comprises a mechanism having a pressure roller arranged and shaped with an imprint that has a shape that is the reverse of that of the imprints provided on the material. The imprints formed on the material and on the pressure roller fulfil a mechanical drive function by meshing. The pressure roller is operative when the strip of material is loaded and is then subsequently deactivated.

The invention relates to the technical field of machines for dispensing pre-cut or non pre-cut wipe material, with or without automatic cutting, in a folded state or wound on a reel.

The Applicant has developed many innovations for this type of wipe material dispensing machine in terms of, for instance, how the machines operate, monitoring tensioning of the strip of material, selecting its format, loading the machine and using a spare reel intended to replace a reel of material which is exhausted. The Applicant thus has over 40 years of experience and expertise in this technology and therefore has in-depth knowledge concerning the exploitation of some or all of its inventions and also third-party manufacturing competitors.

As far as the Applicant is aware, up until now the strips of wipe material to be dispensed have all had a smooth surface appearance and are wound on a reel or folded, pre-cut or not pre-cut and are designed to be dispensed by an appropriate machine

One of the problems which the Applicant who devised the invention faces is the fact that wound or folded wipe material for an identical dispensing machine may be procured from various manufacturing sources.

This situation is detrimental to manufacturers of dispensing machines who have to invest heavily in research and development, sometimes in partnership with the Applicant, in order to improve them and optimise their performance in order to win and retain customers so that manufacturers can subsequently continue to supply consumables, i.e. the packaged wipe material.

Many attempts have been made to tie in the supply of wipe material with OEM dispensing machines More especially, the Applicant has worked on configuring the end pieces in the case of wipe materials that are wound on a reel with a specific layout of the machine Apart from the fact that some users of reels of wipe material recover end pieces in order to fit them on cores for reels of wound materials obtained from various manufacturers, the investment involved in modifying dispensing machines is expensive and the mechanisms involved are complex. One solution involves, for example, making the end piece unusable when the reel has been finished up by deliberately damaging its tip. This technical solution is reliable but awkward to implement.

It was therefore on the basis of all these circumstances that the Applicant eventually decided to shift the focus of its research in a different direction by concentrating on the actual wipe material itself Hitherto, the wipe material has always had a smooth configuration, regardless of the way in which it is dispensed (wound on a reel or folded) and regardless whether or not it is pre-cut.

The solution devised by the Applicant, and which is the subject of another patent application, aims to produce, on the strip of material and along its entire length and especially over part of its width, at least one marking area on both sides of said strip with a succession of protrusions and indentations in an arbitrary configuration which cooperate with a mechanism fitted in the dispensing machine so that only a strip of material thus marked can be dispensed by said machine.

Implementing this concept is simple and requires designing a machine which is highly distinctive and is the subject of this patent application.

According to a first aspect of the invention, it relates to a device allowing the dispensing of wipe material of the type comprising a machine for dispensing said material and the wipe material, characterised in that the wipe material has, along all or part of its length, at least one marking area which has imprints on both sides that are arranged and laid out to ensure meshing and in that the dispensing machine comprises a mechanism having a pressure means arranged and shaped with an imprint that has a shape that is the reverse of that of the imprints provided on the material and in that the imprints formed on the material and on the pressure means of the machine's mechanism fulfil a mechanical drive function by meshing and that the pressure means of said mechanism is operative when the strip of material is loaded and is then subsequently deactivated.

According to another aspect, the pressure means is a roller.

According to another aspect, the pressure means is a plate having a parallelepiped configuration.

According to another aspect, the housing of the dispensing machine makes it possible to accommodate a module which houses all the mechanism and means which make it possible to set the pressure means in the phase when the strip of wipe material is loaded as the cover of the machine is closed.

According to another aspect, the module comprises four main components: a fixed frame, a retractable flap, a sliding guide and an upper tray.

These aspects and others will become apparent from the rest of the description.

The object of the present invention is described, merely by way of example, in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a three-quarter perspective view of a wipe material dispensing machine having a marking area according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the dispensing machine showing the entire mechanism (dashed line) which allows only dispensing of a strip of material presented on a reel or in a folded state in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 3 is a view of the machine before its components are assembled, especially the mechanism that ensures dispensing of the strip of material implemented in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 4 is an additional view to FIG. 3, showing the mechanism which allows dispensing of the strip in accordance with the invention actually fitted.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the mechanism that constitutes a module on its own

FIGS. 6A and 6B are, respectively, front and side views of the module which houses the mechanism when it is ready for loading the strip of material according to the invention.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are front and side views of the module shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, but after the strip of material has been loaded

FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 are views which each show the component parts of the module which houses the mechanism.

FIG. 11 is a view as in FIG. 8 of one of the components of the module, namely the flap with its components removed before assembly.

FIG. 12 is a side view as in FIG. 11 of the counterforce roller for transporting the strip of material according to the invention.

FIG. 13 is a side view as in FIG. 11 of a swivelling element.

FIG. 14 is a rear view as in FIG. 8.

FIG. 15 is a top view of the dispensing machine when the flap is swivelling.

FIG. 16 is a top view as in FIG. 15 after the flap has swivelled.

FIG. 17 is a schematic front view showing the module with a pressure means in an alternative embodiment in the form of a parallelepiped plate.

FIG. 18 is a view of the rear face of the module as in FIG. 17.

FIGS. 19 and 20 are schematic views showing the positioning of the plate that constitutes the pressure means in its two positions: its deactivated position and its position when the strip of material is loaded.

In order that the object of the invention may more readily be understood, the following description is given, merely by way of example, reference being made to the accompanying drawings.

The device allowing the dispensing of wipe material for sanitation, hygiene and industrial applications comprises a dispensing machine (D) and a material (1).

The device allowing the dispensing of wipe material of the type comprising a machine for dispensing said material and the wipe material, is distinctive in that the wipe material has, along all or part of its length, at least one marking area which has imprints on both sides that are arranged and laid out to ensure meshing and in that the dispensing machine comprises a mechanism having a pressure means arranged and shaped with an imprint that has a shape that is the reverse of that of the imprints provided on the material and in that the imprints formed on the material and on the pressure means of the machine's mechanism fulfil a mechanical drive function by meshing and in that the pressure means of said mechanism is operative when the strip of material is loaded and is then subsequently deactivated.

As will become apparent in the rest of this description and the drawings, pressure means (2) can be realised in the form of a roller (FIGS. 2 to 14) or a parallelepiped plate (FIGS. 17 to 20).

The machine for dispensing wipe material for sanitation, hygiene or industrial uses is referred to in its entirety as (D). It is designed to dispense only strips (1) of wipe material that are wound on a reel or folded and which may or may not be pre-cut and have at least one marking area (1 a) along all or part of the length of the strip and over all or part of its width. This marking area has imprints having an arbitrary configuration on both sides of the strip and can be produced by embossing. The dispensing machine is thus designed with a mechanism which has a pressure means (2) provided with a matching identical shape with a matching imprint so as to allow, only and exclusively, movement of the strip of material (1) provided with marking area (1 a) thanks to meshing of the above-mentioned shapes as the pressure means rotates and ejection of the strip of material.

According to the invention, any shapes other than those of the strip of material (1) and its marking area (1 a) and pressure means (2) (roller or plate) do not allow any dispensing of the wipe material. If the wipe material is smooth, the strip of material cannot be transported and the machine will jam, thus necessitating a maintenance and troubleshooting operation in order to remove the obstruction and replace the strip of material by a strip of material which is capable of being dispensed in accordance with the invention.

According to another aspect of the invention, the dispensing machine is capable of operating and advancing the strip of material according to the invention essentially and preferably when the machine is loaded in order to start dispensing. Once the strip has been loaded, the pressure means of the drive mechanism can be retracted, i.e. moved to a standby position until a subsequent operation to load more material presented in reel or folded form. In this situation, after initial loading, dispensing of the strip of material takes place under the usual normal conditions.

The dispensing machine thus comprises a housing (3) having a substantially parallelepiped shape and, in its lower part, a horizontal base (3.1) capable of accommodating or being an extension of the upper part of module (M) which houses the entire mechanism according to the invention. Also, module (M) has an upper tray (4) on which the strip of wipe material used according to the invention rests, in either a folded or reel configuration. In both cases, the strip of wipe material may or may not be pre-cut. On its front part, the housing has a wall (5) which is articulated on pin (5 b), with its upper part having a curved shape (5 a) which makes it easier for the pulled strip of material to advance. The housing accommodates a cover (6) which is hinged so that the strip of material passes between the inside face of the cover and opposite-facing wall (5).

This module can be also used in a dispensing machine with automatic cutting, with the mechanism for loading the strip of material according to the invention being put into operation automatically in association with the cutting mechanism.

Module (M) and the mechanism for loading the strip of material with imprints and the component module are defined below, reference being made to the drawings, especially FIGS. 5 to 14.

The module comprises four main components, namely fixed frame (7), retractable flap (8), sliding guide (9) and top or upper tray (4); these components are closely interrelated. Each component is described below, then the way the components interact is described.

Flap (8) is shown more particularly in FIGS. 8, 11, 12, 13 and 14. It comprises front plate (8 a) and is attached, so that it can swivel to a limited extent relative to the fixed frame, by swivel points (8 h) or hinges or similar means. The central part of the flap has a rectangular, for example, window (8 b) to allow movement and projection of pressure roller (2) when loading the strip of material. The lower part of the flap has a cut-out (8 c) which provides an opening allowing movement of the pulled strip of material (1). Either side of this cut-out, there are two small moulded, one-piece protruding oblique bars in order to guide and separate the line of perforations in the strip of material and which are used to guide the strip so it can be grasped by the operator. On the inside face opposite, flap (8) is designed with two moulded cam-shaped ramps (8 e) intended to cooperate with sliding guide (9) which is designed with matching shapes. The inside upper part of the flap has a fork shape (8 f) designed to allow articulation of a support (10) of pressure means (2) which is in the form of a roller in this embodiment. This U-shape stirrup support has two bent flanges (10 a-10 b), the upper parts of which are designed to be articulated on shafts (11) to the fork-shape part on the flap. Each of the flanges (10 a) (10 b) of the stirrup support of pressure roller (2) is shaped to fulfil other functions including one common function, namely to articulate locking lever (12) which will be described below, on hinge pin (13) located in a central intermediate position of the flanges of said support or bent part. The lower part of first flange (10 a) accommodates a disc (10 c) mounted on the end of shaft (2 b) of pressure roller (2). This disc has a point for anchoring (10 c 1) a first return means (14), the other end of which (14 a) is attached to the upper part of flap (8). This layout is used to start pressure roller (2) in the rotation phase and to enable its automatic return after passing through a neutral point when return means (14) is extended to its fullest extent. It acts like an eccentric. The other flange (10 b) of stirrup support (10) has, under the hinge pin of lever (12), a fixed point for attaching (15 a) a second elastic return means (15), the other end (15 b) of which is connected to the inside face of flap (8). This second return means (15) is stretched during the phase when pressure roller (2) retracts after loading and remains in its extended position until there is a new loading operation. In addition, said second flange (10 b) of the stirrup support has a tab (10 d) which protrudes in a plane which is parallel to the plane of flap (8) itself.

Locking lever (12) comprises two parts, firstly two arms (12 a) articulated on a shaft (17) in the bent part of flanges (10) and (10 b) of stirrup support (10). Said arms (12 a) push against the rear of cam-shaped parts (2 d) on opposite-facing shaft (2 b) of the shaft of pressure roller (2). In the upper part, said arms (12 a) accommodate an articulated U-shape hook (12 b) which has a horseshoe shape. According to another aspect, the rear part of flap (8) has a surface (8 g) which supports and contacts sliding guide (9). Inward movement of pressure roller (2) causes, due to swivelling of lever (12), the horseshoe-shape hook to be pulled toward the front.

Sliding guide (9) is described below.

Sliding guide (9) has an upper plate (9 a) which comprises front wall (9 b) and back wall (9 d); this assembly is of one-piece construction. Sliding guide (9) is capable of being guided into position relative to fixed framework (7). To achieve this, sliding guide (9) shown in FIG. 9 has a front face with an upper part which has vertical tabs (9 e) that are capable of penetrating into oblong openings (7 a) formed on the upper horizontal part (7 b) of fixed frame (7). Tabs (9 e) are capable of protruding through the top of said frame depending on the position of said sliding support (9). Also, the visible part of front face (9 b) has two cam shapes (90 which are capable of cooperating, depending on the position of the pressure roller, with matching protruding shapes (8 e) on the inner wall of said flap. The inner horizontal part (9 c) of the front plate is connected by a third return spring (18) attached to a fixed fixing lug (7 e) on fixed framework (7) and is used to limit upward displacement of said sliding guide. According to another aspect, the horizontal upper base (9 a) of said sliding guide is capable of resting, due to the effect of expansion of third elastic return means (18), on the horizontal tabs (7 f) on fixed frame (7). Rear wall (9 g) of sliding guide (9) is capable of resting on the upper edge (7 g) of fixed fixing lug (7 e) which limits displacement of the sliding guide.

According to another aspect, said rear wall is designed to accommodate means of fixing a stop pin (19) capable of cooperating with the horseshoe-shape part of locking lever (12) on flap (8). This stop pin is articulatedly mounted in opposition to fourth elastic return means (20) relative to said rear wall of the sliding guide. Because of the elastic pressure exerted, the stop pin is pushed backward.

In addition, this stop pin (19) forms, on the outer side facing the fixed frame, a hook-shape discontinuity (19 a) in order to cooperate with support plane (7 h) of the horizontal upper base of said sliding support. In this situation, the tabs on the front face of said sliding guide protrude fully and the third elastic return means is tensioned to its fullest extent.

Fixed frame (7) is described below. The latter essentially comprises rear plate (7 g) and horizontal upper base plate (7 b) which has oblong cut-outs (7 a) to allow clearance for the tabs of said sliding support. The frame has support planes (7 l) for the protective upper plate. In addition, the fixed frame has partitions (7), which are perpendicular to its bottom wall, located either side of the above-mentioned mechanisms; it is essentially the exposed edges of these partitions that are used to guide and support said sliding support. The fixed frame also accommodates horizontal tabs which support the sliding guide by its upper base. Protective plate (4) is intended to protect the mechanism and has a rectangular shape which matches the dimensions of the module thus formed.

The operating principle of the dispensing machine which is equipped with the above-mentioned mechanisms as described in order to allow only dispensing of wipe materials which have imprints over their width, these imprints being reproduced identically on the pressure roller, is described below.

The reader is reminded that the pressure roller is only operated during the phase when the wipe material is loaded. The means and the reloading phase of the pressure roller are described below.

During the phase when the strip of material which has a continuous sequence of marking imprints is loaded, the pressure roller is in its extended position relative to the plane of a flap, exposing part of its periphery facing the matching shapes on the strip of material. In this position, the sliding guide is in its upper position and the tabs are extended, locking lever (12) is retained by stop pin (19) and the flap is in its opened position. When the strip of material, complete with its marked area consisting of imprints, is offered up to the pressure roller in a situation when the strip of material is being loaded with the cover of the machine closed, the opposite-facing part of said strip of material penetrates into the matching shapes on pressure roller (2).

The action of the strip of material being pulled by the user or the maintenance operator causes the pressure roller to rotate. This rotation of the pressure roller causes, firstly, the eccentric to rotate in order to start the pressure roller but also produces rotation of the shaft of the pressure roller which causes displacement of the arms associated with locking lever (12). This causes forward displacement of the horseshoe-shape hook and therefore pulls stop pin (19) which is then released from its attachment point on the fixed frame. This escape of the stop pin releases the sliding guide in opposition to expansion of the third return means, thereby causing downward movement of sliding guide (7). Due to the effects of the cams on the sliding guide and on the flap, the latter swivels forward into a closed position which is sufficient for the pressure roller to no longer be visible relative to the flap.

The pressure roller thus retracted no longer fulfils any function and dispensing of the wipe material presented in reel or folded form can continue normally.

With regard to this particular implementation, any use of a wipe material which has a smooth appearance or which has a marking configuration that is different to that of the pressure roller will prevent the dispensing of material.

Dispensing continues until the wipe material is fully used up. The maintenance operator must then install a new stack or reel of wipe material having the same characteristics. It is therefore necessary to reload the machine, i.e. reset the pressure roller to its set position whereby it protrudes from the flap. To achieve this and referring to FIG. 3, reloading is obtained by actuating the sliding guide in an upward movement, this is obtained by using two cams (21) located on each lateral wall of the cover in the lower part of the cover. The cams are shaped so that they come into contact with the lower part (9 n) of the sliding guide and cause it to rise, articulation of the cover on shaft (22 a) which, in practice, corresponds to the operation of loading the dispensing machine, causes upward movement of the sliding guide, release of the flap which returns to its opened position due to the effect of the pressure exerted by the respective cams and then hooking of stop pin (19) on the fixed frame. The housing is designed with curve-shape openings (3.3) in order to provide clearance for said cams (21) when the cover is raised. Clearance (22 b) for the hinge pin of the cover on the housing is represented by plate (23) which shuts off the clearance opening for cams (21) is also provided in the upper part of the cover. In this configuration, the pressure roller once again protrudes beyond the plane of the flap so that it can be activated by the new strip of wipe material that is to be dispensed.

FIGS. 17 to 20 illustrate a variant of pressure means (2) which fits into previously described module (M) with the same components.

In this variant, the pressure means is a parallelepiped plate which has, in a similar manner, a plurality of notch shaped imprints in order to cooperate with material (1) of matching design in order to fulfil a mechanical drive function. In this implementation, the plate which has a flat configuration with protruding imprints makes it possible to obtain gripping and friction with the strip of material over the entire height of the plate which corresponds to several notches, i.e. a dozen notches, thus ensuring better loading and meshing of the material which is contacted over a larger surface area. The plate is subject to the same retraction conditions as the pressure roller in opposition to elastic return means. The main means of said module (M) are shown schematically in FIGS. 17 to 20.

The advantages are readily apparent from the description.

The fact that the dispensing machine operates exclusively with a strip of wipe material which has a marking area and imprints that are identical to and match the shapes on the pressure means and fulfil a mechanical drive function is emphasised.

No smooth strip of material can be dispensed because it has no effect on the pressure roller whose position is not moved. This necessarily causes a jam between the flap and the cover of the machine, thereby putting the machine out of service.

The concept of the invention is applicable not only to the machine described, but also to machines for dispensing wipe material with automatic cutting, to achieve this it is sufficient to associate the cutting mechanism with the loading mechanism according to the invention.

The invention solves the initial problem, i.e. making sure that a dispensing machine can only be used with a specific make of wipe material. 

1. Device allowing dispensing of wipe material, comprising: a machine for dispensing said material and the wipe material, wherein the wipe material has, along all or part of its length, at least one marking area which has imprints on both sides that are arranged and laid out to ensure meshing, and the dispensing machine comprises a mechanism having a pressure means arranged and shaped with an imprint that has a shape that is a reverse of a shape of the imprints provided on the material, and the imprints formed on the wipe material and on the pressure means of the mechanism fulfil a mechanical drive function by meshing, and the pressure means of said mechanism is operative when the strip of material is loaded and is then subsequently deactivated.
 2. Dispensing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pressure means comprises a roller.
 3. Dispensing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pressure means comprises a plate having a parallelepiped configuration.
 4. Dispensing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said housing makes it possible to position a module which houses all of the mechanism and means which make it possible to set the pressure means in a phase when the strip of wipe material is loaded as a cover of the machine is closed.
 5. Machine as claimed in claim 4, wherein the module comprises four main components: a fixed frame, a retractable flap, a sliding guide and an upper tray.
 6. Machine as claimed in claim 5, wherein the flap comprises a fixed front plate that swivels to a limited extent relative to the fixed frame and in a central part has a window to allow clearance for and protrusion of the pressure means when loading the strip of material, and an inside face opposite the flap has two cam-shape ramps adapted to cooperate with the sliding guide having matching shapes, and an inside upper part of the flap has a fork shape allowing articulation of a support of the pressure means, and a U-shape stirrup shape allows articulation of a locking lever.
 7. Machine as claimed in claim 6, wherein the stirrup-shape support has two bent flanges with upper parts articulated on shafts to the fork shape on the flap and each of the flanges of the stirrup support of the pressure means has matching means to allow operation of the mechanism for loading the strip of material.
 8. Machine as claimed in claim 67, wherein said flanges ensure articulation of the locking lever on a shaft located in a central intermediate position of the flanges of said support or bent part, and a lower part of first bent flange accommodates a disc mounted on a tip of a shaft of the pressure means, and the disc has a point for anchoring a first return means, and an other end of the first return means is attached to the upper part of the flap, and the other flange of the stirrup support has, underneath a hinge pin of the lever, a fixed point for anchoring second elastic return means, and an other end of the second elastic return means is attached to the inside face of the flap, and the second return means is stressed during a phase when the pressure means retracts after loading and remains in an extended position until there is a new loading operation, and said second flange of the stirrup shape has a tab which protrudes in a plane parallel to a plane of the flap.
 9. Machine as claimed in claim 6, wherein the locking lever comprises two parts, firstly two arms articulated on a shaft located in a bent part of the flanges and of the stirrup support, and said arms push up against a rear of cam-shape parts on a shaft facing the shaft of the pressure means, and the upper part of said arms articulatedly accommodate a U-shape hook shaped like a horseshoe.
 10. Machine as claimed in claim 6, wherein a rear part of the flap has a surface which supports and contacts the sliding guide.
 11. Machine as claimed in claim 6, wherein a lower part of the flap has a cut-out which leaves an opening providing clearance for movement of a pulled strip of material and, on either side of the cut-out, two small protruding oblique bars to guide and separate a line of perforations of the strip of material used to guide the strip so that the strip can be grasped by the operator.
 12. Machine as claimed in claim 6, wherein the sliding guide has an upper plate comprising a front wall and a rear wall, and the sliding guide is guided into position relative to the fixed frame, the sliding guide has a front face with an upper part with vertical tabs penetrating into oblong openings formed in a horizontal upper part of the fixed frame, and that the vertical tabs protrude through a top of said frame, depending on position of said sliding guide, and an exposed part of the front face has two cam-shape profiles cooperating, depending on position of the pressure means, with matching protruding shapes on the inside wall of said flap, and the horizontal inside part of the front plate is connected by a third return spring attached to a fixed fixing lug on the fixed frame and is used to limit upward displacement of said sliding guide.
 13. Machine as claimed in claim 12, wherein a horizontal upper base of said sliding guide rests, due to effect of expansion of the third elastic return means, on horizontal tabs formed on the fixed. frame, and a rear wall of the sliding guide rests on a fixed upper edge of the fixed fixing lug which limits movement of the sliding guide.
 14. Machine as claimed in claim 12, wherein said rear wall accommodates means of fixing a stop pin cooperating with the horseshoe-shape hook part of the locking lever on the flap, and said stop pin is articulatedly mounted in opposition to a fourth elastic return means relative to said rear wall of the sliding guide, and the stop pin on an outer side facing the fixed frame has a hook-shape discontinuity cooperating with a support plane of the horizontal upper base of said sliding guide.
 15. Machine as claimed in claim 6, wherein the fixed frame comprises a rear plate and a horizontal upper base plate provided with an oblong cut-out providing clearance for the tabs of said sliding guide, and the frame has support planes for a protective upper plate, and the fixed frame has partitions perpendicular to the bottom wall arranged either side of the mechanisms and exposed edges essentially used to guide and support said sliding guide.
 16. Machine as claimed in claim 6, further comprising, in order to reload the pressure means, two cams located on each lateral wall of a cover in a lower part of the cover, and said cams are shaped to come into contact with a lower part of the sliding guide and cause the sliding guide to rise.
 17. Machine as claimed in claim 16, wherein the housing has curved openings allowing movement of said cams When the cover is raised and movement of a hinge pin of the cover on the housing is accompanied by a plate which shuts off the openings through which the cams move. 